Call to Worship
Come, let us follow Jesus—
the One who calls us by name,
the One who leads us in love,
the One who walks beside us on every road.
Come with open hearts, ready to listen,
ready to learn,
ready to follow.
Hymn 1 – Will You Come and Follow Me (The Summons) A natural opening hymn for the theme of discipleship.
Prayer of Approach
Loving God,
You call us to follow Your Son,
to walk in His footsteps,
to learn His ways of compassion, courage, and truth.
We come seeking Your presence,
Your guidance,
and Your renewing Spirit.
Prayer of Confession
Lord Jesus,
You invite us to follow,
yet we confess the times we choose our own path.
Forgive our hesitations,
our half‑heartedness,
our moments of fear or pride.
Lift us again to our feet
and set us on Your way.
Assurance of Pardon
Hear the good news:
Christ came not to condemn but to restore.
In Him we are forgiven, renewed, and set free.
Thanks be to God.
Prayer of Praise and Wonder
God of all creation,
Your love stretches wider than the skies,
Your mercy reaches deeper than the seas,
Your grace meets us in every moment.
We marvel at the life of Jesus—
His welcome, His wisdom, His way—
and we praise You for calling us to follow Him.
Bible Reading 1 – Matthew 4:18–22
Jesus calls the first disciples.
As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.
Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
Hymn 2 – Jesus Calls Us O’er the Tumult
A classic hymn of commitment and calling.
Short Reflection
Theme: “Following Jesus – A Daily Yes”
Following Jesus is not a one‑time decision but a daily choice.
In Matthew’s Gospel, the disciples leave their nets “at once”—not because they understood everything, but because they trusted the One who called them.
To follow Jesus today means:
Listening for His voice in Scripture and prayer
Learning His way of compassion, justice, and mercy
Living with courage, even when the path is costly
Loving as He loved—especially those who struggle or feel unseen
Discipleship is not about perfection.
It is about direction—turning our lives toward Christ again and again, trusting that He walks with us, strengthens us, and leads us into life.
Bible Reading 2 – Luke 9:23–25
“If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.”
Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Gracious God,
We thank You for Jesus—
for His teaching, His compassion, His courage,
and His unfailing love.
We thank You for the people who first taught us faith,
for moments when You guided us,
and for the strength You give us each day.
Prayer for the Church Family
Lord Jesus,
You gather us as one family in Your name.
Bless our congregation—
the young, the old, the long‑established, and the newly arrived.
Strengthen our fellowship, deepen our care for one another,
and help us follow You together
with joy, generosity, and hope.
Prayer of Intercession
God of all people,
We pray for a world longing for peace,
for communities burdened by hardship,
for those who feel lost, lonely, or afraid.
Guide leaders with wisdom,
comfort those who suffer,
and inspire Your church to be a light in dark places.
Make us faithful followers—
ready to serve, ready to love, ready to act.
Hymn 3 – “Lord, You Have Come to the Lakeshore (Pescador de Hombres)”
Focuses on Jesus calling ordinary people to follow Him.
Blessing
Go now in the footsteps of Jesus—
with hearts open,
with courage renewed,
with love overflowing.
And may the blessing of God Almighty,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
be with you and remain with you
today and always.
Amen.
BELLSHILL: CENTRAL PARISH CHURCH OF SCOTLAND 